Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
April Zehm, Erin Scott, Kristen G. Schaefer, Phuong L. Nguyen, Juliet Jacobsen
Summary: Early conversations about patients' goals and values can improve care, but clinicians often find it challenging to conduct them. The Serious Illness Care Program (SICP), which provides a conversation guide for clinicians, has been successful in helping practicing clinicians have more and better conversations. In this study, the SICP training was adapted for medical students and medical interns, and the results showed positive feedback and increased confidence in communication skills among the learners. The training also led to a significant increase in documentation of serious illness conversations by residents.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
William E. Rosa, Shigeko Izumi, Donald R. Sullivan, Joshua Lakin, Abby R. Rosenberg, Claire J. Creutzfeldt, Debbie Lafond, Jennifer Tjia, Valerie Cotter, Cara Wallace, Danetta E. Sloan, Dulce Maria Cruz-Oliver, Susan DeSanto-Madeya, Rachelle Bernacki, Thomas W. Leblanc, Andrew S. Epstein
Summary: This study aims to identify the potential benefits and missed opportunities of ACP and provide an evidence-informed, clinically relevant path for ACP in serious illness. Early ACP practices focused on document completion, potentially missing holistic preferences. ACP models that emphasize communication show promising results for patients and clinicians.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Jenna Spring, Jerrad McKinlay, Kathryn Puxty, Victoria Metaxa, Michael Detsky, Sangeeta Mehta, Santhosh Thyagu, Kelly McGuigan, Laveena Munshi
Summary: The study found varying perspectives among physicians regarding advance care planning in patients with hematologic malignancy, with some reporting routine ACP discussions in their institutions. ACP discussions were most commonly reported at the onset of critical illness, disease recurrence, or transition to a strictly palliative approach, yet many physicians expressed concerns about patient or family reactions.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Emily K. Rose, James O'Connor
Summary: COPD is a progressive disease that affects patients' quality of life, and it is crucial to discuss patients' care goals before the disease becomes refractory. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a comprehensive approach to discussing goals with patients. Existing research has shown that ACP improves communication, reduces hospital admissions, and enhances quality of life, although most studies have focused on cancer patients. Without further research and guidance, obtaining funding for ACP programs dedicated to COPD may be challenging. There are currently no guidelines for addressing ACP in patients with COPD, and barriers exist that hinder meaningful discussions between patients, families, and healthcare providers. Research has also indicated that multidisciplinary teams can improve care and quality of life. Therefore, dedicated research should investigate the effects of ACP initiatives on outcomes in COPD patients, particularly in reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Meera R. Basu, Lindsay Partin, Anna Revette, Joanne Wolfe, Danielle D. DeCourcey
Summary: This study explored clinician perceptions about barriers to advance care planning (ACP) for seriously ill children and strategies for improvement. Clinicians identified barriers such as mixed messaging, lack of knowledge about patient and family goals, prognostic uncertainty, poor prognostic awareness, unstandardized documentation, and family dynamics, while also suggesting strategies like enhancing multidisciplinary communication, creating a shared ACP communication framework, and formal training in ACP communication.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Karen Carr, Felicity Hasson, Sonja McIlfatrick, Julia Downing
Summary: Parents expressed the need for a trusted professional and time for private, thorough, non-judgemental discussions when initiating advance care planning for their children. They also highlighted the importance of health professionals understanding and supporting them during this process.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Seema King, Maureen Douglas, Sidra Javed, Jocelyn Semenchuk, Sunita Ghosh, Fiona Dunne, Aliza Moledina, Konrad Fassbender, Jessica Simon
Summary: This study found that the type of content documented by physicians after a SICP conversation is associated with the patient's goals of care. Patients who understand/speak English and have a non-resuscitative GCD focus were found to have more goals and values documented.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nauzley C. Abedini, Susan E. Merel, Katherine G. Hicks, Janaki Torrence, Joanna Heywood, Ruth A. Engelberg, Erin K. Kross, J. Randall Curtis
Summary: This study demonstrates the application of human-centered design in the development and refinement of inpatient goals-of-care discussion guides. Through four phases, the research team identified and addressed problems, ultimately reaching consensus on solutions.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sarah Nouri, Richard L. Street, Deborah E. Barnes, Ying Shi, Aiesha M. Volow, Brookelle Li, Stewart C. Alexander, Rebecca L. Sudore
Summary: The patient-directed PREPARE program was associated with increased clinician supportive ACP communication with older adults compared to an advance directive alone, especially among Spanish speakers, and the effect was mediated by active patient participation.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Amanda Jane Reich, John Adam Reich, Paul Mathew
Summary: Advance care planning, shared decision making, and serious illness conversations are communication processes designed to promote patient-centered care in the complex context of onconephrology, where patients face complex medical decisions at the intersection of oncology and nephrology. It is important for clinicians to engage in these processes and integrate patient preferences and values into treatment planning.
SEMINARS IN NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Megan Doherty, Preet Gujral, Maryse Frenette, Nadine Lusney, Camara van Breemen
Summary: This study explores the experiences of pediatric clinicians participating in a serious illness communication program (SICP) for advance care planning (ACP) and examines the benefits and challenges of implementing new communication tools into clinical practice. The findings suggest that the structured program helps clinicians enhance their communication skills and improve confidence in end-of-life discussions. Providing access to digital SICP tools and conducting training for clinical teams may further support clinicians in engaging in ACP.
PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Matthew Lin, Sadath Sayeed, Danielle D. DeCourcey, Joanne Wolfe, Christy Cummings
Summary: Many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are facing a critical point where deaths following the limitation of life-supporting treatments exceed those following unsuccessful resuscitations. Furthermore, many surviving infants still require intensive support. This article argues for the implementation of advance care planning (ACP) in the NICU setting by examining the current state of parental needs for decisional support and serious illness, and how ACP could address the limitations in pediatric palliative care and decision-making in the newborn period.
Article
Nursing
Suzanne S. Sullivan, Catherine Mann, Samantha Mullen, Yu-Ping Chang
Summary: Homecare nurses use relationship-based care to recognize and manage serious illness, engage in difficult conversations, and guide transitions to comfort-focused care. They navigate complex care systems, support care in the home, and ultimately transfer care to other providers, while feeling frustrated with the fragmented healthcare system and lack of collaboration among the team. This study highlights the need for health policy to ensure care continuity in serious illness and the importance of improving relationships across care settings to enhance training and delivery of comfort-focused care in the home.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Carter Neugarten, Mary Stanley, Stephanie Erickson, Ryan Baldeo, Emily Aaronson
Summary: The attitudes of emergency department clinicians towards embedded palliative care are generally positive, with providers feeling more supported, improved resource management, better patient care, and increased nursing empowerment.
JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
M. Zwakman, M. M. Milota, A. van der Heide, L. J. Jabbarian, I. J. Korfage, J. A. C. Rietjens, J. J. M. van Delden, M. C. Kars
Summary: This study reveals that patients do not have to be fully ready for all ACP topics to participate in ACP conversations. Healthcare professionals should be sensitive to patients' readiness and adapt the conversation accordingly.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jonathan B. Berlowitz, Wubin Xie, Alyssa F. Harlow, Michael J. Blaha, Aruni Bhatnagar, Emelia J. Benjamin, Andrew C. Stokes
Summary: E-cigarette use is associated with pulmonary inflammation, functional respiratory changes, and chronic lung disease. Most population-level E-cigarette research has utilized point-in-time measures of E-cigarette exposures, which may not generalize to adults who transition between cigarettes and E-cigarettes. Transitions from nonuse to exclusive E-cigarette use are associated with increased incidence rate of wheeze, while transitions from cigarettes to E-cigarettes or from dual use to E-cigarette use are associated with reduced incidence rates of wheeze and dry nighttime cough. Further research is needed to assess the risks and benefits of E-cigarette-assisted cigarette cessation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Darae Ko, Emelia J. Benjamin
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ludovic Trinquart, Chunyu Liu, David McManus, Christopher Nowak, Honghuang Lin, Nicole L. Spartano, Belinda Borrelli, Emelia J. Benjamin, Jonne M. Murabito
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of smartphone messaging interventions on remote transmission of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) data. The results showed that personalized notifications increased longitudinal adherence to BP and HR transmission, suggesting that personalized messaging is an effective tool in promoting adherence to mobile health systems in cardiovascular research.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Reza Mohebi, Dongyu Wang, Emily S. Lau, Juhi K. Parekh, Norrina Allen, Bruce M. Psaty, Emelia J. Benjamin, Daniel Levy, Thomas J. Wang, Sanjiv J. Shah, John S. Gottdiener, James L. Januzzi, Jennifer E. Ho
Summary: This study compares the prevalence and prognosis of heart failure (HF) stages according to the 2013 and 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA definitions. The new standards result in a substantial shift of individuals from stage A to stage B, and those in stage B have a higher risk of progression to symptomatic HF.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Carl G. Streed Jr, Dana King, Chris Grasso, Sari L. Reisner, Kenneth H. Mayer, Guneet K. Jasuja, Tonia Poteat, Monica Mukherjee, Ayelet Shapira-Daniels, Howard Cabral, Vin Tangpricha, Michael K. Paasche-Orlow, Emelia J. Benjamin
Summary: The study aims to validate an algorithm for identifying transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients within electronic health record (EHR) data and evaluate its accuracy. The algorithm was validated in an EHR data set with self-reported gender identity using TGD-related diagnosis and procedure codes, and hormone therapy prescription data. The results showed that the algorithm had good sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in identifying TGD patients in administrative data. Further categorization based on prescription data also had high accuracy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mara E. Murray E. Horwitz, Christine A. A. Prifti, Tracy A. A. Battaglia, Ayodele T. T. Ajayi, Camille V. V. Edwards, Emelia J. J. Benjamin, Christina D. D. Yarrington, Samantha E. E. Parker
Summary: This study examined the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in individuals with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The results showed that, among individuals without pre-pregnancy CVD risk factors, the prevalence of APOs was 30%.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Shivani Sahni, Alyssa B. Dufour, Na Wang, Douglas P. Kiel, Marian T. Hannan, Paul F. Jacques, Emelia J. Benjamin, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Joanne M. Murabito, Anne B. Newman, Roger A. Fielding, Gary F. Mitchell, Naomi M. Hamburg
Summary: This study examined the association between vascular health measures and grip strength and gait speed. The cross-sectional analysis showed a positive association between resting brachial artery diameter and grip strength, as well as between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and grip strength. The longitudinal analysis revealed a significant association between brachial pulse pressure and slower gait speed, but no association with grip strength.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Navin Suthahar, Dongyu Wang, Joseph Pierre Aboumsallem, Canxia Shi, Sanne de Wit, Elizabeth E. Liu, Emily S. Lau, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Ron. T. Gansevoort, Bert van der Vegt, Manol Jovani, Bernard E. Kreger, Greta Lee Splansky, Emelia J. Benjamin, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Martin G. Larson, Daniel Levy, Jennifer E. Ho, Rudolf A. de Boer
Summary: This study evaluated the value of serial CRP measurements in predicting the risk of CVD, cancer, and mortality. The results showed that both baseline CRP levels and subsequent increases in CRP were associated with future CVD, cancer, and mortality.
MAYO CLINIC PROCEEDINGS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Gary F. Mitchell, Jian Rong, Martin G. Larson, Leroy L. Cooper, Vanessa Xanthakis, Emelia J. Benjamin, Naomi M. Hamburg, Ramachandran S. Vasan
Summary: Systolic blood pressure increases with age after midlife, particularly in women, and contributes to development of wide pulse pressure hypertension in middle-aged and older adults. The relative contributions of aortic stiffness and premature wave reflection to increases in pulse pressure remain controversial.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yi Li, Ayana Gray, Liying Xue, Melissa G. Farb, Nir Ayalon, Charlotte Andersson, Darae Ko, Emelia J. Benjamin, Daniel Levy, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Martin G. Larson, Jian Rong, Vanessa Xanthakis, Chunyu Liu, Jessica L. Fetterman, Deepa M. Gopal
Summary: This study investigates the association between metabolomics and cardiovascular health (CVH) and finds that certain metabolites mediate the relationship between CVH and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF).
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christy N. N. Taylor, Dongyu Wang, Martin G. G. Larson, Emily S. S. Lau, Emelia J. J. Benjamin, Ralph B. B. D'Agostino, Ramachandran S. S. Vasan, Daniel Levy, Susan Cheng, Jennifer E. E. Ho
Summary: A parental history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases the risk of future CVD in offspring. However, it is unclear whether parental modifiable risk factors contribute to or modify this risk.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rachel Moyal-Smith, Judy Margo, Francine L. Maloney, Jason Boulanger, Patti Lautner, Patricia Folcarelli, Evan Benjamin
Summary: This study aims to develop a framework to improve the adoption and implementation of patient safety initiatives. Through literature review and qualitative interviews, barriers and facilitators to adoption and implementation were identified, and a framework and guidance tool were developed. The framework, consisting of five domains and six subdomains, provides practical guidance for improvement teams. Testing confirmed the framework's acceptability, feasibility, and utility among implementers and subject-matter experts.
JOURNAL OF PATIENT SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tanja Charlotte Frederiksen, Morten Krogh Christiansen, Emelia J. Benjamin, Kim Overvad, Anja Olsen, Christina Catherine Dahm, Henrik Kjaerulf Jensen
Summary: This study examined the association between 5-year weight changes and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation. It found that weight gain over 5 years was significantly associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, while weight loss was not significantly associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Roxanne Sholevar, John Peteet, Justin Sanders, Yvan Beaussant
Summary: The study analyzed factors influencing experts' attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT) in serious illness care, including perception of unmet need, knowledge of empirical studies, personal experience with psychedelics, professional background, and age/generation. An integrative theme emerged regarding PAT's disruptive potential in serious illness care at various levels, impacting experts' level of support depending on whether this potential was seen as a therapeutic opportunity or undue risk.
PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lanting Yang, Shangbin Tang, Meiqi He, Jingchuan Guo, Nico Gabriel, Gretchen Swabe, Walid F. Gellad, Utibe R. Essien, Samir Saba, Emelia J. Benjamin, Jared W. Magnani, Inmaculada Hernandez
Summary: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate changes in the treatment initiation of patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics (R) Data Mart Database were used to identify individuals with incident AF. The study found no significant changes in the initiation of oral anticoagulation (OAC), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and rhythm control medications associated with the pandemic, but a significant decrease in the initiation of electrical cardioversion.
BMC CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
(2023)